Meditation in Buddhism
Buddhists practice meditation as a form of relaxation.
Suffering is widespread throughout the world, and it affects people of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. A person’s absence from pain is not ensured by one’s status as a king or celebrity, having a lot of money, or being isolated from society as a whole. The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, identified the problem with mankind as dukkha, or suffering, in his teachings. But from what, exactly, are you suffering? It is more than just the misery that results as a result of the repercussions of events. Cravings, wishes, wants, and ignorance are the primary sources of one’s misery. In order to educate others how to eliminate dukkha through procedures and rituals that would result in nirvana, also known as “the blowing out,” he would devote his life’s labor to this endeavor. Meditation is one of the rituals taught and practiced in Buddhism today, and it is one of the most important.
Buddhist meditation is a religious practice that is closely associated with the concept of concentration as well as the development of profound understanding. The practice of meditation in Buddhism serves a goal that is somewhat similar to that of prayer in Christianity. It is an instrument for eloquent spiritual development that seeks to alleviate suffering as its primary objective. Meditation aids in the discovery of one’s own righteousness as well as the comprehensive understanding of the moral postulates of Buddhism. In this regard, the Sutta Nipata has the following verse: “in the enjoyment of knowledge and in the strength of mindfulness, a person achieves complete enlightenment and becomes a refuge for many.” (The Sutta Nipata, Maha Vagga: 503; Sutta Nipata, Maha Vagga: 504)
Nirvana is the state of complete enlightenment that can be obtained through the practice of meditation, according to Buddhism. The attainment of Nirvana, as well as the whole process of striving for enlightenment, are all aimed at alleviating suffering in some way. Meditation aids in the development of sympathetic abilities as well as the comprehension of the peaceful nature of one’s life in this world. “The greatest Buddha praised pure meditation because it produces quick results,” according to the Sutta-Nipatta. The Dhamma contains a rare diamond of meditation, and there is nothing that compares to it.” In the words of the Noble Ones, “Those who rejoice in the teaching taught by the Noble Ones are distinctive and distinguishable in speech, mind, and action; they are set in calm gentleness, and meditation; and they attain the essence of learning and knowledge.” (The Sutta Nipata, Cula Vagga: 226) (Source: The Sutta Nipata, Cula Vagga: 330.)
References
Saddhatissa and Hammalava are two names for the same person. ‘The Sutta-Nipata: A New Translation from the Pali Canon’ is an important work in Buddhist scholarship. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Routledge, 2013.
